Glamming Up Your Next Spring Or Summer Picnic

With a seemingly ever-increasing trend toward getting back to nature in interior design (birch candle holders may have been so 2015, but plant and flower stencils and vinyl stickers are still coming in), it’s no surprise that bringing the indoors out is on the rise. But traditional picnics, with a simple blanket and a wicker basket lined in checkered cloth full of standard picnic fare, are a thing of the past.

For your next picnic, think less Anne of Green Gables and more Downton Abbey. Incorporating some rustic elements is charmingly reminiscent of simpler times gone by, but these days, it’s all about bringing a splash of elegant glamor and style to your outdoor meals – be sure to plan the appropriate menu to compliment.

A simple way to do this is just by replacing your utensils and plates. Instead of disposable plastic and paper, go for metal and ceramic. (Needless to say, don’t risk your good dishes; mismatched antique plates from the thrift store are equally functional and can be even more charming.)

As the largest visual element of the gathering, the tablecloth deserves some thought. Don’t use anything irreplaceable, as it may get stains from being spread over the grass, but skip the old wool blanket ready for the rag pile, too. White, light blue, or patterned tablecloths can all work wonders for setting the scene.

Tuck a vase into the basket, and fill it with wildflowers once you get to your picnic spot. (If there’s not much in bloom, bring some along with you.) Set in the middle of the gathering, this vibrant centerpiece can bring the whole event into focus by perfectly combining its elegant and outdoorsy elements.

Finally, if the attendees are of age, nothing says “chic, adult picnic” like pulling some carefully wrapped champagne flutes and a bottle of bubbly out of the basket.

When you’ve mastered the glam picnic, there will be little excuse for you not to outfit your backyard with a serious tent or tipi and create a real outdoor escape.